Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics

VU course code:HCNDLevel of study:Undergraduate

Domestic only

ATAR

Lowest selection rank: 83.30*

Duration

4.5 years full time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park Campus

Intakes

View all intakes

Overview

Become a dietitian working to improve the health of individuals and communities, with a Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics from Victoria University.

Our 4.5-year dual degree will give you the food-related knowledge and clinical skills needed to work in hospitals private practice, care settings, and public programs.

Through coursework and hands-on experience in professional settings, you will become adept at delivering strategies that help people and populations make better food choices to prevent and manage disease and illness.

You will graduate from the Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics with highly developed knowledge to inform your practice, in these complementary, interacting areas:

human biosciences
food and nutrition science
nutrition and diet in health and disease
food service management for vulnerable populations.

Your health-science knowledge will be underpinned by well-honed interpersonal skills that allow you to translate the scientific research on nutrition, health and disease into practical advice for clients and colleagues.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Exhibit safe, effective and professional practice in line with the National Competency Standards for Dietitians, and within ethical and legal frameworks including the Code of Conduct, and Scope of Practice for Dietitians;
Synthesise an evidence-based and highly developed knowledge of human biosciences, food and nutrition science, health and disease, food and food preparation methods to develop and deliver, client-centred strategies and recommendations to improve health and food choices of individuals, groups and/or populations across a range of practice settings;
Apply the principles of scientific inquiry and critical evaluation to review the literature, obtain and apply information for effective evidence-based dietetic practice;
Justify appropriate methodologies in research, evaluation and quality improvement to undertake a project relevant to nutrition and dietetics, and disseminate the results;
Exhibit a range of culturally appropriate communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate nutrition messages with diverse clients and stakeholders;
Exemplify the ability to build respectful relationships and work collaboratively with clients, colleagues and stakeholders, acting as a resource and promoting the profession of nutrition and dietetics; and
Critically reflect on learning from practice, and recognise the need for continued professional development.
: This program is currently accredited by Dietitians Australia (DA).
A graduate of this program within the current accreditation period is eligible to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program.
: In your third year of study, you'll get hands-on experience developing and delivering group nutrition education sessions to the public.
In the final year of the course, you'll also complete at least 100 days of professional practice placement with our partner organisations, in medical nutritional therapy, community and public health nutrition and food service, meeting the competencies required to practise as a dietitian.
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which helps you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Read more about The Learning Hub

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

Minimum ATAR: 83.30*

ATAR related adjustments

A study score of 30 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English (any except EAL) Mathematics (any), Health and Human Development, Physical Education or a study score of 35 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

This course has a minimum ATAR entry requirement. This means you’ll need to achieve a certain ATAR, along with other criteria, to be considered for this course.

The following table shows the ranking results of our current student intake and is an indication of the ATAR you’ll need to successfully apply.

*Minimum ATAR is based on the lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) that received an offer for the Semester 1, 2026 intake. Use as a guide only.

VU course code: HCND

VTAC course code: 4301011121

Campus: Footscray Park

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics.
	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors)	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer	96.40	99.25
Median rank to receive an offer	83.70	91.20
Lowest rank to receive an offer	73.45	83.30

Learn more about ATAR

What is ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) compares the results of final-year school students, with adjustments made for factors such as hardship. The ranking is expressed as a number between 0 and 99.95. ATAR minimum entry requirements are not usually essential entry criteria for applicants who have completed secondary education more than 2 years ago.

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:
Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)
an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE
an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
PLUS:
A study score of at least 25 in two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health & Human Development, Mathematics (any) or Physical Education.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Health or Human Sciences (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.
Admission criteria
Completion of at least two semesters of Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in Health or Human Sciences.
OR
Completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in any discipline
Second year entry:
Completion of at least two semesters of Bachelor of Human Nutrition (HBNT) at Victoria University.
Note: Meeting the minimum requirement for entry to second year does not guarantee entry. Places are limited and applicants will be competitively ranked based on their course WAM in their first two semesters of study.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.
Admission criteria
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
PLUS:
A study score of at least 25 in two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health & Human Development, Mathematics (any) or Physical Education.
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 10 52.6%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NP NP
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
NA NA
(D) Work and Life experience 0 0.0%
International students 0 0.0%
All students 19 100%
"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	10	52.6%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	<5
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	NP	NP
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	NA	NA
(D) Work and Life experience	0	0.0%
International students	0	0.0%
All students	19	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

Accreditation requirements are that students undertake a minimum of 100 days placement in clinical practice settings (based on a 7.5-hour workday). These placements are completed in the final 12 months of the course and are fulltime. Placement locations will be throughout Victoria, but may include some that are interstate. There are three placements in clinical practice settings (110 days), and a research placement.

HHN7001 Medical Nutrition Therapy Placement (min. 50 days)
HHN7002 Food Service Systems for Dietitians Placement (min. 20 days)
HHN7003 Community and Public Health Nutrition Placement (min. 40 days)
HHN7901 Research Placement (min. 40 days)

To progress to placements students will have to meet a number of mandatory requirements. These include a National Police Records check prior to practice placements, and on an annual basis thereafter. All students must also have a Working with Children check prior to placements. Students must be prepared to declare their fitness to practice which will include physical and psychological health and have relevant immunisations prior to commencing placements.

Students must notify the university immediately if there are any changes to their status in relation to these and other mandatory requirements.

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the double award of Bachelor of Nutritional Science / Master of Dietetics students will be required to complete:

432 credit points of core studies
Non-award course JQHF Understanding Health from First Nation's Perspectives - for students enrolled prior to 2025 or have not completed AEK1203 Indigenous Health and Wellbeing

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Careers

A graduate of an accredited program is eligible to become a member of DA with dietetics qualifications, and to join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) Program. Dietitians practise in a range of areas including:

private clinics
public health care
health promotion
nutrition education
research positions.

Intakes

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne Footscray Park Campus

Semester 1 - Block 1

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close07 February 2027

Apply via VTAC if you are:

in Year 12 or
applying to multiple universities

VTAC course code 4301011121

VTAC late applications are due by 30 October 2026

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.

Professional accreditation/Industry recognition

Dietitians Australia

This program is currently accredited by Dietitians Australia. A graduate of this program within the current accreditation period is eligible to join the APD Program.